Conference: The Syrian Conflict and the Promotion of Reconciliation..

Registration:

Due to limited seating at the venue, registration for this event is mandatory. To register, please send an email with the names of prospective attendees to Nico Prucha (nico.prucha [at] univie.ac.at).

The conference is free of any charge.

Conference Abstract:

The conference seeks to provide an array of Syrian political actors who are present and active in Vienna and abroad an opportunity to provide insight into the current conflict, its violent and non-violent manifestations, and prospects for future reconciliation. The conference will provide a neutral environment for the exchange of perspectives on the interconnected issues of the promotion of civil society, political cooperation, violence, and the implications for international politics and security. 

The conference venue at the Atelierhaus der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien will also host an exhibition of contemporary Syrian artists, reflecting the war through their photographic artwork.

Conference Agenda:

Day 1, February 6, 2014

13:30 - 14:00   Opening remarks, introductions, programme review, and administrative announcements by Robert Wesley and Nico Prucha, Official opening of the exhibition “Syrian Perspectives on War”

14:00 - 14:30   Research Briefing by Cengiz Günay, Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip): “Syria at the Crossroads of Turkey and the EU”

15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks

14:45 – 15:15  Political Activism, , Coordination Committee for the Support of the Syrian Revolution from Austria (tansiqiyya): “

15:15 – 15:45  Supporting Women and Minorities, Marie-Therese Kiriakly, Verein für Arabische Frauen: “Minorities and Violence”

16:15 - 16:30   Research Briefing, Thomas Schmidinger, University of Vienna: “Syrian-Kurdistan and its Political Actors”

1630: - 16:45   Kurdish Freedom Party (Azadi) / Kurdish National Council in Syria, Jamal Omari: “The Kurds and the Regime – Historical Dissent and Future Prospects”

60 Minutes Q&A with audience

17:45 – 18:00 Concluding remarks, coffee & tea with snacks

Day 2, February 7, 2014

13:00 – 13:30  Opening remarks and introductions

13:30 – 14:00  Research Briefing, Rüdiger Lohlker, University of Vienna: “Social Media – A New Layer in Modern Warfare”                

15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks    

14:15 - 14:45   Syrian Opposition in Diaspora, Waleed Bonni: “The Syrian Revolution in the Context of Resistance”

15:15 – 15:45  (Former) National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (I’tilaf), Kamal al-Labwani: “Islamic Groups in the Syrian Conflict and their Ideology”

15 Minutes coffee & tea break with snacks    

15:15 – 15:45  Media Office Manager of the Muslim Brotherhood,

16:00 – 16:30  Austrian Muslim Initiative, Tarafa Baghajati: “Syria before and after the Geneva I and II Talks”

60 Minute Q&A with audience

17:30 – 17:45 concluding remarks, farewell and coffee & tea break with snacks